Feb. 8, 2012

OLYMPIA – The fencing around the section of Heritage Park used for an encampment by “Occupy Olympia” will be removed Feb. 9, making all 22 acres available for public use.

The Department of Enterprise Services set up a chain-link fence around the three-acre site for health and safety reasons after tents were removed on Dec. 16, 2011.

With the tents removed, Enterprise Services grounds staff were able to clean up the site. They used a large magnet to remove metal debris, such as nails, large screws, tent stakes, bottle caps, coins and other metal objects left behind. The crew used a lawn sweeper and rakes to remove plastic debris and trash, and help revive the grass.

While the irrigation system underneath the site was not damaged, there are some depressions in the turf that remain. These cause rainwater to pool in places.

The department will continue to evaluate the site to determine what landscape remediation measures may be needed.

Enterprise Services manages the Capitol Campus buildings and grounds, including Heritage, Sylvester, Centennial and Marathon parks.

For more information
Jim Erskine, Communications
(360) 407-9212, jim.erskine@des.wa.gov